I was just wondering and maybe somebody posted this in another area, but I was wondering roughly how many contacts everybody has.  I think I was up to about 18 but just in the last week or so 7 have either expired addresses or are just about to have expired addresses.  I have sent all  my contacts several letters so far, most have gotten at least one package but now I would like to concentrate on letters to contacts who are requesting pen pals.  Just curious to see if my number was small, too high or average Of course I only joined up in the end of March so I guess all those who have been on a while have tons of contacts.  Thank you!

Ok I did that quote at the bottom wrong.  How does everybody get their little saying in there?  Help me The kids have fried my brain today!!

Hi PA Dutch
This is a really helpful post (and fun thread, too!)
 

Dear PA Dutch -

I am new to anysoldier.com. I adopted my group of Marines in January, and because they will be in Iraq until next January, and there are 185 of them to send group packages to, I concentrate on them and them only.  I stay in touch with the Capt. by e-mail. I have recently sent a box of cards and letters from 3 sixth grade classes from one of our local schools, and also letters from the English classes at one of our local high schools.  I am expecting more cards from another school soon. 

Now, if I was writing letters only,  I'd do what you have done and write to multiple contacts.  I don't know if there is a way to find out if pen pals are being requested, because of their long work days, and the stress they are going through, I believe most probably enjoy getting letters, but won't have time to write back.  However, I believe, if it's meant to be, and you pray about it, you may just find yourself receiving letters.  I received one letter from a female Marine thanking me for the "female package" I sent to the 8 women out of the 185, because they sometimes get overlooked.  So that was an added bonus.  Hope this encourages you. 

My friend and I have 5 contacts.  We will stick to them till they leave.  We also send to my brother and cousin, they however have not signed up for any soldier, as myself,myfriend,cousin's wife, and sister-in-law keep both units in supply of what they need.  The ladies always respond to boxes, letters and e-mails.  The men don't.  Thats ok.  We just keep looking for their post on anysoldier.  When these guys and gals return, we will pick more.  It is alot more fun and cost effective for us to do this together.  We did just however add more boxes to a lady who has contact with some afgan kids.  I have started to make winter scarfs for them.  I also buy them a good will.  We also have friends donate alot of thing for soldiers and kids.  This keeps it affordable for us.  I hope this helps.

Two more today than yesterday.

I have about two dozen.

It varies for me.  At one point when our 3500 National Guard troops deployed (still there) I had 79 contacts for Minnesota.  Since most are coming back this summer I am down to 11 just from MN.  I wanted them all to get at least one box from back "home" and tucked in local news and newpapers as well as items they requested. Many of those become repeat corresponders because they had a common tie to my area.

 Other contacts are those that touch my heart in some way, with their circumstance, mission, or request for an item I can get or have.  For instance, one contact in Afghanistan requested horse gear because that was how they got around at their location.  Because I am into horses, I knew the equipment they wanted, found a tack sale and shipped it off. One time I had a bunch of dog calendars and shipped them to the K 9 units, or those with pet puppies.  Other times I will find a really good sale on an item like flip flops, buy as many as I can afford, then use the search page, type in the word flip flop, and send to those units.

At times, when I just don't have the resources, I'll still send letters and tuck in a car air freshner.  Let your heart be your guide, it all counts.

 

Car air fresheners are a GREAT idea!  I'm always trying to think of little surprises to put in with the letters.  Thanks for the tip!

I keep 4 active anysoldier contacts that way I can do a letter and box each week. If one of my contacts drops off of the site then I pick a new one. When I can I send more than one box (since they represent multiple people) per unit per month, and if folks write to me I write much more in return...

Thanks, Mom

We have 7 different units that we ship to. Out of those 7 units, we hear from 4 on a regular basis [at least twice a week or more] via email. And one who does not have email access, so she writes us letters.  Most of these units we contact have more than 50 people in each unit, so we send out several boxes at a time so that more than one soldier in that unit gets mail. It is REALLY hard, because the more I read, the more I want to support!

We just found this site in May, and  have chosen 4 groups - 2 in Iraq, 1 in Afghanistan, and 1 in the Philippines, just to spread it around a bit.  We send care packages and letters every week or two.  We got a very nice letter from one of the guys in Afghanistan after the first box we sent, and one of the Iraq contacts updated his AnySoldier post, stating that he'd received several boxes, so we know at least some of the stuff is getting where it's sent.  We chose groups that would be there until some time in 2008, and will continue to send to them until they're home.  We'll choose others as the ones we have rotate out, but 4 seems to be a managable number of contacts for us to keep up with.

Pat

As of this week, we have about 50 active contacts, but we sometimes only send one package to a contact before they drop out.  We rarely send more than 4-5 packages to any one group unless they stay in contact with us and ask personally for us to send certain items, which rarely happens.  I try to diligently watch their page to see how long it has been since an update, and try to send a package soon after a current update.  I keep a rolling hanging file holder with the pages with names and the info listed under the names and any notes including dates of packages sent and contents and letters written and who has replied and how they replied (note, email).

We have an accordian file with several hundred past contacts we have sent packages to within the last 3 yrs., but we haven't kept in contact with any of them, other than getting some holiday cards from a few after they got home.  We put all our efforts into just sending packages to the active ones.

Gran

When I first started I sent out tons of packages, and didn't really have a special contact.  Now I try and keep it down to 2 regulars...I stay with them until they come home, and send several packages a month.  I do still send out other packages...Especially if I read someone hasn't gotten any packages or they touch my heart for some reason, then if I hear back from them, I adopt them too and start sending regular packages...For a while,  it became a full time job, and I was putting in a lot of overtime too...Now I am trying to keep it to a part time job...I keep telling my self...you don't have to support EVERY soldier deployed !!!! Even though if I could I would... I Just need to win the Lottery to do that...